Tottenham legend reveals 'huge' Spurs advantage over Manchester United in Europa League final

Evening Standard

·20. Mai 2025

Tottenham legend reveals 'huge' Spurs advantage over Manchester United in Europa League final

Psychological boost and ‘top-class’ star could be ‘huge’ difference-makers in Bilbao, says Ledley King

Tottenham have a potentially “huge” advantage over Manchester United ahead of their Europa League final clash on Wednesday, according to former England centre-back Ledley King.

King, who spent his entire 13-year playing career with Spurs, pointed to the Lilywhites’ flawless record against United this season as a possible psychological leg-up before the game in Bilbao has even begun.

Discussing what he feels will be a “close” final, the 44-year-old said: “Spurs already have three wins over United this season, and that could be huge.”

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Ange Postecoglou’s men did the Premier League double over the Red Devils, winning 3-0 at Old Trafford in September and then 1-0 at home in February, with a 4-3 victory in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals sandwiched in-between. Indeed, Spurs’ unbeaten run against United currently stands at five matches in total, with their last loss coming prior to the Postecoglou era.

King told BetMGM: “When you know you can beat an opponent, it is a big advantage. I remember the first time we beat Arsenal and Chelsea… it removes the fear factor.

“It’s always in the back of your mind when you have lost to that team. The first goal will be massive, especially if Spurs get it. It will be interesting to see how Manchester United respond to the pressure.”

King believes the availability of “top-class” Dutch centre-back Micky van de Ven, who has missed much of the campaign through injury, is another major boost for Tottenham.

“He is such a valuable player and still so young, too,” King said. “Having him back in the side brings confidence to other players and, hopefully, he is at that stage now after his injuries where he can trust his body to play at full throttle again.

“His pace is astonishing and is a huge advantage but his ability on the ball is so impressive as well. In him and [Cristian] Romero, we have two defenders comfortable on the ball, something that’s so important these days.

“Romero can pick the pass between the lines and Van de Ven can stride out with the ball. It’s so impressive – his piece of play in the 3-0 win at United was one of the best bits of football I’ve seen all season.”

Of Ruben Amorim and Co, King said: “Manchester United have been inconsistent, similar to Spurs really. It’s been disappointing domestically but good in Europe. United have good players on their day and Amorim will be desperate to end his first season there with a trophy.”

As for Spurs, he added that “belief has definitely risen” in the north Londoners’ camp as they’ve progressed through the Europa League, culminating in the “massive occasion” of Wednesday’s final that will be “huge” in both the context of this season and the club’s future.

“I think we have played well against good teams, in basic terms,” King said. “Away games are so important in European competition so to be so solid on the road has been a huge advantage.”

He continued: “It has been quite a few years since we lifted a trophy, so to do that here would reinforce the belief moving forward in the group that they are good enough to win major trophies.”